So, here's the story... I met a man, the leo in question, earlier this year and we became fast friends. We were so close, we talked about everything, from the big life issues to the little mundane things. He's wonderful, smart, handsome, and very very sweet. He is the sun in my universe, the yang to my yin! Ordinarily, he is such a fireball of confidence and strength and his cheerful nature brightens any room that he's in... But lately, not so much. We were at a party - his party to be precise - and it was a great time. As I was saying my goodbyes at the end of the night and getting ready to go home, he hugged me and held me close and said, "I love you, Sweetheart." Not a big deal really, he's said it before ...as have I. But this time it just sounded different and it felt different. And all of the sudden, the realization that there may be more than friendship there, hit me like a ton of rose petals - nice, sweet, but still very heavy. My mind went wild ..."how did he mean that? as a friend? as more? if I said it, how would I mean it? If I really mean it and he doesn't, will he somehow know and get all freaked out?" All of this is going on in my head. My mouth, for once in my life, is struck dumb and in my moment of poorly-timed introspection, I failed to notice that my silence was misconstrued as a humiliating rejection. Just about the time that my mind had figured out that I was, in fact, hopelessly in love with this man, he had come to the painful conclusion that I was not. He deflated and withdrew and said "And you don't love me..." No amount of argument to the contrary could convince him that I did and that I was being sincere. Since then, everything's changed. He seems smaller somehow and the pain inside him is clearly visible to anyone who knows him. He doesn't laugh or joke or even smile anymore. He barely talks and when he does his voice is small and shaky. I've tried to talk to him, tried to explain but he denies that anything at all is wrong. He maintains that he's perfectly fine and I'm imagining things. When he does talk to me anymore, it's so strained. He tries, but it's an effort for him. I can't stand to see him like this ...especially when there's no reason. I keep telling myself that it'll blow over and he'll be back to his old self in no time, but it's now been 3 weeks. I miss my friend. Any insight and/or advise you can give from the leo perspective would be greatly appreciated.
